Page 133 of Relentless

“Better hope I’m not, sweet Piper, or the rest of your life will be unpleasant.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Simple. McCoy owes me. I’m collecting. You’re the payment.”

Liam’s hands fisted. “You’ll have to go through me to take her.”

Spencer gave a harsh laugh. “I saw you walking. A good gust of wind would blow you down. Thought I’d have to be clever and fast to deal with you. You’re a disappointment, old buddy. You’ve gone soft since you left the Corp. One punch and you’ll be finished. Taking your woman will be a cinch.”

“I won’t go with you.” Piper’s hand rested on Liam’s back as though she knew he was holding himself in control by a thread. “I’ll die first.”

“If you don’t cooperate, I’ll shoot your man. He looks like crap. How well do you think he’ll recover from yet another wound? Yeah, I heard he was near death’s door. I haven’t had a chance to shoot a gun in years. I might hit something vital by accident, Piper. You want to chance it?”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Don’t bet his life on that, honey. Either way, you’ll be warming my bed instead of his for the rest of your life. Of course, I can’t guarantee how long that will be. Depends on how much you please me.”

“Hold steady, Liam,” Brody murmured.

Hard to do when he wanted to wrap his hands around Spencer’s throat and squeeze the life out of him. Still, he understood the game Spencer played. A man out of control reacted with emotion instead of logic. If Liam went into a fight that way, he’d die, plain and simple.

Spencer gestured at Liam with his weapon. “I know you’re armed. Drop the weapons on the sand. Do it slow or I’ll pull this trigger. Can’t guarantee the bullet won’t hit your woman, though.”

Liam kept his face blank as he divested himself of his weapons. Two handguns, a knife, and two throwing stars. He held his arms away from his body and slowly turned so Spencer would see he was unarmed.

He faced his nemesis again.

“Now, Piper,” Sawyer murmured.

Liam felt her small hand sliding the Sig she’d been hiding into his middle-of-the-back holster. “What now, Spencer?”

His expression was one of disgust. “You won’t fight me to keep her? I thought you loved Piper.”

“I’m crazy about her.”

“You have a funny way of showing it, man. You don’t deserve a woman as fine as she is. Get on your knees.”

Liam stilled. No way. Piper was in the line of fire. Spencer could hit Piper by accident.

“Do it, Liam,” Brody ordered through the ear piece. “Trust us.”

Spencer’s eyebrow rose. “You want to test me?”

“Liam, please,” Piper whispered.

“Piper, shift to the right,” Sawyer said. “Liam’s concerned Spencer will shoot you by accident.”

“I’m waiting, McCoy,” Spencer snapped. “You have three seconds. After that, I’ll shoot you and Piper can take her chances with the bullet.”

Liam held up his hand. “All right.” He slowly dropped to his knees, his grimace real as the injured muscle in his thigh protested the movement. Jesse had badgered Liam through rehab exercises for the past week to build his mobility for this confrontation. The medic had done an amazing job for the short time they’d had to work.

As Liam lowered himself to the sand, Piper moved to his right.

“Come here, Piper.” Spencer’s eyes glittered. “Unless you want to watch your man die.”

“Don’t hurt him.”

“Move it, beautiful. I want my hands on you.”

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